38837 - General Chemistry

Academic Year 2019/2020

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student:
- knows the theoretical basis for understanding the structure of matter in its atomic and molecular constituents
- possesses a method suitable for the scientific treatment of the phenomena underlying the transformation of matter
- adopt appropriate models for the rigorous description of the thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of chemical transformations.

Course contents

Structure of the matter. Mixtures of substances. Aggregation states.
Atomic model. Hydrogen atom: wave functions, quantum numbers and orbitals.
Aufbau Principles. Periodic properties of the elements: atomic radius, ionization energy, electron affinity.
Covalent bonds. Electronegativity.
Molecular structure and VSEPR Rules.
Hybrid Orbitals. The resonance concept.
Ionic bond. Van der Waals' Interactions. Hydrogen bond.
The mole concept.
Reactions and Chemical Equations. Balancing chemical equations.
Le Chatelier's Principle. Thermochemistry. The Gibbs Law.
Ionic equilibria in solution: Acids and Bases, Solubility Product.
Kinetics.
Electrochemistry.

Readings/Bibliography

Title: Chimica
Authors: Ivano Bertini, Claudio Luchinat, Mani Fabrizio
Publisher: CEA
Pages: 512
ISBN: 8840812857
ISBN-13: 9788840812854

Teaching methods

The teaching consists of 6 ECTS. Each ECTS includes 6 hours of theoretical front lectures, 3 hours of numerical exercises in class, and one hour of practical exercises in the laboratory. The practical exercises are carried out in the Laboratory of Chemistry at the Cesena Campus (Villa Almerici) equipped with 30 workstations with an assortment of glassware and basic instrumentation (pH meter, magnetic stirrers and hot plates). The objective of the practical exercises is twofold:
- Have the student familiar with the equipment and the safety of the chemical laboratory
- To develop the student's ability to link the results of an empirical experience with theoretical concepts learned during the front lectures

Assessment methods

The examination at the end of the course aims to assess the achievement of learning objectives:
- Translate a chemical problem in a set of stoichiometric calculations
- Describe, with a proper language and a scientific precision, the composition of matter
- Define, with qualitative and quantitative criteria, the phenomena that lead to the transformation of substances.

The exam consists of two parts, first written and then oral, which together contribute to the formation of the vote.
The student is admitted to the oral test only after passing the written test.
The written exam passed with a grade of 18 is only valid for the oral examination in the same session.
The written exam passed with a grade above 18 is valid for two calls (the current and next).

Teaching tools

The didactic material presented in class (powerpoint presentations) will be made available to the student in electronic format. To get educational materials visit the website: http://www.francescocapozzi.it
Audio recordings of the lectures will be permitted, provided that they are made ​​available to all students through the sharing of mp3 files into restricted areas of the above teacher's website.
Username and password are reserved for students enrolled in the course and will be reported by the teacher, at the beginning of the course, directly in class. Otherwise, they will be communicated by subscribing to the corresponding mail distribution list.

Links to further information

http://www.francescocapozzi.it

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Capozzi

See the website of Gianfranco Picone

SDGs

Good health and well-being Quality education Oceans Life on land

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.